Most sports grow out of a simple formula—ball plus stick, ball plus kick, or car plus explosion. Experience a rewritten equation with today's Groupon: for $46, you get individual entry (a $105 value) into the Super Spartan Race on February 26 at Vail Lake Resort in Temecula.

Testing limits of strength, muscle, and stamina, Temecula's Super Spartan Race spans more than eight miles of obstacles marred in mud, barbed wire, water, fire, and live, gladiatorial opposition. Participants will tackle grueling paths and waterways, simultaneously pitting themselves against thousands of equally chiseled peers and pummel-stick-equipped warriors who attempt to derail the contestants. Featuring both men's and women's races, the Super Spartan Race presents 15 to 18 obstacles throughout the course.

The race's top three male and female finishers earn free entry into the upcoming Spartan Death Race, a 24-hour-plus race designed for the world's elite athletic machines. All competitors who cross the Vail Lake–course finish line receive a medal, along with a catered meal, live-band entertainment, and frothy beers during postrace revelry. Here, adult race-goers raise muddy glasses with competitors and fellow course warriors while reminiscing about several minutes ago. Mini Spartans can also test their burgeoning agility during a kids' race for 5- to 10-year-olds prior to the adult portion of the race.

Reviews

Spartan Races in Temecula was featured in the Press-Enterprise, and the nationwide event has more than 104,000 fans on Facebook:

• The Spartan Race, considered one of the world's leading obstacle racing series, is designed to test participants' resilience, strength, stamina, and ability to withstand adversity. – Juan Saucedo, Press-Enterprise